Bronze Interior Space and Exhibition Design · 2025
From Paris With Grace Vacation Residence
by Loui Lu
- A' Design Award 2025 Bronze Winner in Interior Space and Exhibition Design
- Awarded April 15, 2025
- CLIENT: XinYue Interior Design Ltd.
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 7,069
- Verification code 35A7FA4CAF · Verify this award
About From Paris With Grace Vacation Residence
From Paris With Grace is the interior design of a vacation residence in southeastern Taipei. The apartment covers about 1386 square feet and serves a couple who also keep a home in Paris. Classical French decor is combined with American interior concepts and modern metal accents. A custom television wall in Italian titanium steel stone anchors the open living area. Furniture, lighting and cabinetry were made to measure by skilled artisans. North American oak adds warmth. Large windows bring daylight and city views into the rooms.
Loui Lu's vacation residence interior exemplifies contemporary design sensibilities that privilege serene material palettes, sculptural furnishing forms, and abundant natural illumination as primary compositional elements, situating the work within a broader tradition of residential design that emphasizes psychological refuge and visual tranquility as central to the domestic environment. The spatial composition demonstrates sophisticated understanding of asymmetrical balance principles, where the substantial architectural cabinetry mass anchoring the left portion of the frame establishes visual weight that finds equilibrium through the luminous transparency of the expansive window wall occupying the right third, while the central furniture grouping creates a stabilizing middle ground that prevents the composition from bifurcating into disconnected zones. Technical merit manifests in the careful calibration of the neutral chromatic scheme, which avoids monotony through subtle temperature variations and strategic accent deployment—the warm cream of the primary sofa reads slightly golden against the cooler gray stone flooring, while the dusty rose swivel chairs introduce just enough chromatic differentiation to register as deliberate punctuation without disrupting the overall tonal restraint, and the fresh yellow florals visible in the foreground vessel provide a concentrated burst of saturated hue that enlivens the otherwise desaturated environment. The geometric abstraction of the area rug, with its golden linear pattern overlaying soft gray ground, demonstrates thoughtful integration of decorative elements that echo the rectilinear architectural vocabulary while introducing organic curved passages that resonate with the sinuous furniture forms, creating visual conversation between geometric and biomorphic formal languages. Materiality receives careful articulation through the juxtaposition of polished stone, fine wood grain, plush upholstery, and translucent textile layers, each surface contributing distinct textural character that enriches the space without competing for dominance. The lighting strategy reveals particularly successful integration of natural and artificial sources, where the diffused daylight flooding through sheered windows provides primary ambient illumination that shifts subtly throughout daily cycles, supplemented by architectural track fixtures that offer controlled accent and task lighting while maintaining visual discretion through their minimal matte black profiles. The spatial planning evidences understanding of circulation flow and functional zoning, with the furniture arrangement creating an intimate conversation area while maintaining visual and physical connection to adjacent spaces glimpsed through doorway openings, suggesting the interior exists as part of a larger residential sequence rather than isolated room. This work invites contemplation of how contemporary residential design negotiates between the desire for visual serenity and the need for sufficient sensory interest to sustain engagement, between the aspiration toward timeless restraint and the acknowledgment of personal expression through curated accent elements, and between the creation of private domestic sanctuary and the maintenance of spatial generosity and luminous openness that prevents refuge from becoming enclosure. One might consider how the careful material selections, refined proportions, and abundant natural light combine to create an environment that supports both active social gathering around the central seating arrangement and quiet individual retreat within the larger spatial volume, and how the neutral palette serves as backdrop for the constantly shifting qualities of natural illumination that animate the space throughout diurnal cycles, transforming static architectural container into dynamic living environment responsive to temporal and atmospheric variations.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- This Taipei apartment is a unique blend of French and American styles with modern metal accents, creating an elegant and glamorous space. Key features include a custom TV wall with Italian titanium steel stone, fully custom-made furniture and lighting, an open-plan living area, and high-end materials like North American oak and Swarovski crystals. The design emphasizes luxury, comfort, and spiritual well-being, with ample natural light and stunning city views.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- As this is an interior design project, dimensions vary per item. Key features include: Custom TV wall with Italian titanium steel stone, approx. 3000mm W x 2500mm H. Custom cabinetry spans entire walls, depths ranging 400-600mm. Open living area approx. 6000mm x 8000mm. Master bedroom with custom headboard, approx. 2000mm W x 1200mm H. Lighting fixtures custom-designed, dimensions vary. Total apartment area approx. 1386 sq ft.
- Tags
- timeless design, lighting, vacation residence, wooden flooring, window daybed, lighting fixtures, furniture, luxury, classic
- Production Technology
- This design involved a complete interior transformation. We employed a blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern techniques, with custom-made furniture, lighting, and cabinetry tailored to the space. High-end materials like North American oak and Italian titanium steel stone were used. The design process focused on creating a seamless integration of French and American styles with modern accents, achieved through detailed planning and collaboration with skilled artisans.
- Project Duration
- The project was completed around October 1st of 2024 and is located in southeastern Taipei.
- Operation Flow
- This interior design enhances life through its layout and elements. The open plan encourages natural flow and social interaction. Custom-designed furniture and lighting elevate the user experience. Key frames include the grand TV wall, the inviting living area, and the luxurious master bedroom. High-end materials and attention to detail result in a space that is both visually stunning and functionally optimized for comfort and well-being.
- Research
- Design research for this project was primarily qualitative, focusing on the client's lifestyle and aesthetic preferences. Objectives were to create a luxurious, functional space reflecting their taste. We used interviews and site visits, collecting data on their needs, Paris home style, and desired atmosphere. No formal experiments; instead, deep client engagement. Results showed a strong leaning towards elegant, comfortable spaces with unique details. Key insight was balancing opulence with functionality. This research directly impacted the design, resulting in a bespoke space that perfectly aligned with the client's vision.
- Inspiration
- The homeowners, a couple with a home in Paris, wanted a place in southeastern Taipei for meetings and leisure. They desired a luxurious and glamorous space, a small reception hall to entertain guests, with unique materials and craftsmanship. This desire to create an upscale environment that blended French and American styles with modern metal accents, while also incorporating the homeowners' preferences and lifestyle, served as the main inspiration for the project. The design emphasizes elegance, comfort, and a sense of well-being, capitalizing on ample natural light and city views.
- Image Credits
- Photography: Dirk Heindoerfer Photography